</s>The Associate Director 11/4/76 Legal Counsel HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS PURPOSE: To advise of receipt of a letter addressed to the Attorney General dated 11/2/76 (copy attached), from Chairman of captioned Committee, for review of FBI files and Department of Captained Committee, or review of Fbi files and President John F. Kennedy (JFN) and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK). DETAILS: Chairman Thomas Downing by letter dated 11//2/776, addressed to the Attorney General, requested, inter alfa, access to FBI and Department of Justice files concerning the FBI's in- vestigation into the Assassinations of JFK and MLK. Additionally, they asked for an itemization of all such material in the post- session into the Department of the FBI and that may have been transmission for either individual or agency that, a summary of both investigations. As to their access to FBI files, it is believed they should be granted access to the same extent that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence activities was granted. This position is consistent with what we understand has been in this information that is considered with what the understand has seen in this matter. Such access would include deletions or excisions of material might disclose informations, sensitive sources or methods and involve obtaining third-agency clearance. As to the portions of the request including an itemization of the material in this request includes an believed that this particular topic should be discussed with the needs of the Committee and the ability to understand as to the needs to the Committee so that the Bureau to comply can be met. Enclosure Mr. Gallagher - Enc. Mr. Leavitt - Enco. Mr. Mintz - Eno. -Mt. Daily - Enc. RECOMMENDATIONS - OVER PVD:lad (6) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI communications and investigations related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Rev. James M. Lawson, a pastor in Memphis, reported observations about personnel movements within the Memphis Fire Department and Police Department around the time of the murder. He noted that two Black firemen were transferred from a fully manned station to another, with one being removed mid-shift. A Black police officer, Detective B. Redditty, was also removed from his post prior to the assassination. Lawson claimed these changes may have significance but stated he had no concrete evidence of a conspiracy. The FBI investigated these claims, noting that Memphis Police records indicated no officers were on "walking beats" during the murder. Redditty faced threats in February and March 1968, leading to his reassignment and protective measures for him and his family. Reverend Ralph David Abernathy, SCLC president, was interviewed by FBI agents in January 1969 after he publicly suggested a conspiracy in King’s assassination, citing prior killings of JFK, RFK, and Medgar Evers. Abernathy denied having evidence of a conspiracy but acknowledged Lawson’s claims about personnel shifts. The FBI requested further investigation into Lawson’s information and the potential involvement of Memphis Fire and Police Department personnel.  

Key People:  
- Rev. James M. Lawson (pastor in Memphis, reported observations on personnel movements)  
- Detective B. Redditty (Memphis Police Department officer removed prior to King’s assassination)  
- Reverend Ralph David Abernathy (SCLC president, publicly suggested a conspiracy in King’s murder)  
- SA Joe C. Hester and SA Robert F. (FBI agents involved in investigations)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (site of the assassination and personnel movements)  
- Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia (Abernathy’s address)  
- Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee (location of King’s assassination)  

Key Events:  
- Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel  
- Personnel transfers among Memphis Fire Department and Police Department prior to the murder  
- FBI interviews with Rev. Abernathy and Rev. Lawson in January 1969  
- Investigation into threats against Detective Redditty and his reassignment  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- Memphis Fire Department  
- Memphis Police Department

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_001_ser_231_only-part_08_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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